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Thursday, 11 June 2015

Christopher Lee - My Favourite Roles

Sir Christopher Lee, the veteran actor and star of many of the world's biggest film franchises, has died aged 93.

The English-born actor, who made his name playing Dracula and Frankenstein's monster in the Hammer horror films, appeared in more than 250 movies.

He was best-known for his villainous roles - including Scaramanga in James Bond and evil wizard Saruman in The Lord of the Rings.

The actor is reported to have died on Sunday at Chelsea and Westminster hospital in London, after being hospitalised for respiratory problems and heart failure.

Here I look at my favourite of his roles in fandom

Star Wars

Count DookuParticipating in more on-screen sword fights than any actor in history, it was inevitable that he would wield one of the most powerful energy based swords of all timeHe even had his own hilt built especially for him and fought Yoda in one of the most insane fights in the prequel trilogies

The Wicker Man

Lord SummerislePlaying the really creepy in this film where before he had played the obvious monster, but Lord Summerisle was working behind the scenes, covering up the disappearance of a little girlNOTHING like the God awful Nicholas Cage version

Dracula

Count Dracula/ Dracula père / Le prince des Ténèbres / Prince of DarknessIt's likely if I said Dracula to you, in your head would be a certain image of him that was brought to life by Christopher Lee and most of the Counts since then has been based on this portrayalAppearing 8 times in the role, he was the Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man of his day!

Lord of the Rings

SarumanHe is leader of the Istari, wizards sent to Middle-earth in human form by the godlike Valar to challenge Sauron, the main antagonist of the novel, but eventually he desires Sauron's power for himself and tries to take over Middle-earth by force.Peter Jackson chose the best person to take on the character that proves absolute power corrupts absolutely

James Bond

Francisco ScaramangaIn the film The Man with the Golden Gun, Francisco is a high-priced assassin, supposedly the best in the world, charging one million dollars per kill. He's best known for being "The man with the golden gun", because he only uses bullets made of gold in a (fictional) 4.2 mm cartridge. All of Scaramanga's dealings go through his henchman Nick Nack, which allows Scaramanga to be anonymous.Christopher Lee is also the real life step cousin of Bond creator Ian Fleming

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Dr WonkaCharlie and the Chocolate factory would just be known as that weird Johnny Depp film if it wasn't for what Christopher Lee brought to the film.The relationship of Wonka and his dad brings a lot of emotional turmoil to the film, and explains why Willy is like the way he is

Gremlins

Doctor CatheterMad scientist of a major conglomerate, Doctor Catheter takes delight in bringing misery to Gizmo and all in the name of scienceHe collects viruses by mail order and even by tissue when somebody sneezes in it :/

So what's YOUR favourite Christopher Lee role?

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